Tops' new store prototype better serves shoppers

September 03, 2013

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York, northern Pennsylvania and western Vermont, held an event Aug. 29 at the site of Tops' future Irondequoit, NY, location to announce the new store prototype as part of Tops' current $13 million investment in its Monroe County stores.

Frank Curci, Tops president and chief executive officer and the Morgan Management team were joined by local representatives to discuss what shoppers will see at the new Irondequoit location as well as Tops' significant investment within the Rochester community in the upcoming months.

"The Rochester area and Monroe County are a very important part of our overall corporate strategy," Curci said in a press release. "Including current projects and those completed over the past three years, we are investing $21.3 million in our Rochester-area stores to make for a better shopping experience for our customers."

The new 52,000 square-foot store, located in the Depot Plaza, will replace the current location on Ridge Road East and will open in spring 2014. Curci described the new Irondequoit store's layout as "more efficient," with a better utilization of space as well as having a new, modern look and feel. The new layout will allow for better display of products, especially in the store's fresh departments, including produce. The store will also boast a fueling station, giving customers increased access to Tops' GasPoints program.

"We have had much success with our new prototype stores," Curci added in the release. "Customers are looking for a neighborhood store where they feel comfortable, are able to find what they need and can easily maneuver through the aisles in a convenient shopping experience. This store will be the first of its type in the Rochester area and will be the springboard to how we design our stores in the future."

Curci also discussed plans for investing in other Monroe County Tops' locations:

A new 55,000-square-foot store at Frontier Commons Plaza will replace the company's current store on Jefferson Road. The store will also boast the company's new-store prototype as well as a fueling station. Both the Irondequoit and Henrietta stores will remain open during the transition and all Tops associates will transition to the new stores.

The Tops location on Clinton Ave. in Brighton is currently undergoing a major remodel and expansion, including major interior renovations, a new parking lot, storefront and landscaping, to be completed by the end of 2013.

Tops' Perinton store will add a fuel station; construction will begin in the next several weeks.

Curci announced that the Penfield Tops will undergo a $1 million renovation that will be complete in 2014.

Since returning to local operation five years ago, Tops has made significant investments in the Rochester area, including $8.3 million in just the past three years. After a five-year absence of supermarket presence, Tops opened a store in Spencerport, NY, creating more than 150 local jobs.

"We are committed to investing in the Rochester community, and as we look ahead this region is a market we are looking to grow and expand in," Curci added. "When we invest in our stores, we are investing in the local economy, our associates and our community — and as a local company, that is one of the most important things we can do."

Tops currently operates 14 full-service stores and five fuel stations, and it employs more than 1,500 associates within Monroe County.